Popular cleric and founder of Power City International, Abel Damina, has challenged the widely held belief that giving to the church guarantees financial prosperity, insisting there is no biblical basis for such doctrine.
In a viral video, the pastor argued that the idea of giving in order to become wealthy is misleading and not supported by scripture, adding that it can leave adherents financially strained.
“There’s no scripture in the Bible that says when you give to God, you’ll be a rich person. Nobody prospers by giving. When you give, it leaves you and there’s a vacuum,” he said.
Damina said the belief that financial prosperity is tied to donations to religious institutions has led some believers into financial hardship.
He cited an example of a man who allegedly gave all his cars to his church, claiming he was later left with nothing and regretted his decision.
The cleric also dismissed claims that tithing or offerings are a pathway to becoming a billionaire, arguing that wealth is instead driven by education, labour, and enterprise.
“I never saw anybody who, because he tithed, became a billionaire.
Those who say so became wealthy because they had jobs and businesses,” he added.
Damina further explained that natural resources such as oil, gold, and other minerals are part of God’s creation, and that economic prosperity comes from discovering and developing them through knowledge and skill.
He concluded that individuals should focus on education, work, and entrepreneurship as the real drivers of financial success.
